St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-30
MRS. CLEVELAND's GOWNS.
The Taste OF the Presidents Wife
in ReceptiOn Dresses.


Washington Letter to Philadelphia Times.
One of the principal ladies in Mrs.
Cleveland's good graceS, speaking of her
womanly interest in becoming toilets,
says that she never knew any one to
exhibit better taste than she in matters
OF dress. Her choice does not run to
gay. colors, as did Mrs. Madison's, but
to luxurious textures and elaborate
draping. In matters Of her own toilets
she does her own thinking and gives
her own directions. taking such pro-
fesslonal suggestions as may strike her
favorably. There is general impress
sion that the wife of the president sends
abroad for her richest dresses. This
statement has been perpetuated from
the original story of her wedding trous-
seau.. When, in 1885, as a young lady,
she visited the capitals of the old world
with her mother, her betrothal to the
president had taken place, and naturally
made in Paris. All of these are still in
her possession, but her new toilets are
American made and show no noticeable
difference in style or quality. Mrs.
CleVeland'S dreSSmaker is one of the
feminine artists of New York city.
Before her departure with the presi-
dent on his journey Mrs. Cleveland gave
some preliminary thought to that ever
perpleXing and never-ending problem
of womanly happiness suitable and
new toilets for an approaching social
season. Her dresses for last season
must needs be rearranged to meet the
demands of the tickle and exacting
goddess of fashiOn.and new toilets must
be designed to take the first place, in
order that society may be appeased. The
n q Jox o1
ways been something for the feminine
world at large to applaud or condemn
At those great public jams, the IeveeS,
as many women come to see and criti-
else the first lady's toilet as cone to pay
her court. This is the practical view of
the subject. Often in the pressure of
the throng failing to accomplish this
Important duty, the specially inquisitive
run the gauntlet of the crush a second
time, hoping for more favorable chance.
About the end of the month it is not
improbable that Mrs. Cleveland will in
dulge in shopping and dressmaking
expedition to New York. She has sew
eral fine new and expensive toilets in
mind. Her dresses of last Seaso were
from her French trOusseau, which were
then IN good style and new to the public
eye. Among these the chef d'euvre
tune, which gave her peculiarly fresh,
Innocent and queenly appearance. Her
other becoming dresses were rich ruby
velvet, which gave her brunette COM
plexion a richer shade. A very elabor-
ate black dress ED traine, with beaded
lace, was, perhaps, the least becoming.
An elegant gray gave the distinguished
lady also very beautiful appearance.
In general terms the complexion and
figure of Mrs. Cleveland appear we'll in
almost any of the prevailing tints of
ladies' fabrics, but by universal consent
OF those friends who are nearest to he,,
and therefore in position to give an
opinion, she appears best in heliotrope,
which naturally is her favorite hue.
The prevailing fashions in hues and
fabrics Will engage as serious attention
in the feminine end of the executive
mansion for the six weeks following
next Saturday as will the subjects of the
next annual message to congress in the
apartments of official deliberations for
about the same time.
In all her toilets Mrs. Cleveland looks
equally well. About the mansion she
usually attireS herself in an deliberately
wrought morning costume. Shopping
she wears natty street dress of some
subdued hue. For an evening drive
she is seen in more elaborate, but gen.
orally black, costume. An evening
dress OF some simple make answers for
informal reception of friends in the red
parlOr. In grand toilet at her drawing
rooms or state gatherings she not only
dresses in the highest style of the dress
making art, but with reference to the
occasion. A state dinner to the cabinet
might best be characterized by simple
American toilet. The court costumes
OF the ladies and gentlemen of the di-
plomatic corps required more elabora-
ton of color and design SO as not to
form too great contrast. A dinner to
the justices of the supreme court re-
quires toilet rich III fabric and SUBJ